A treasure trove of childhood memories! I got Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive from my neighbor and played it endlessly. I almost always used the “Hollowman” cheat, which made me invisible, turning the game into a sandbox-like experience most of the time. On those rare occasions when I played without the invisibility cheat, my heart would be pounding in my chest—it was a whole different level of intensity.

The game itself is genuinely entertaining. It features 25 levels, including six tutorial missions and a single demo mission. Unfortunately, there’s no co-op or multiplayer mode, which could have been a fantastic addition. There’s also no built-in way to adjust the difficulty (aside from using cheat codes). Some players might find it too easy, while others might find certain parts frustratingly hard. However, the early 2000s AI has its quirks and flaws, which you can exploit if you’re clever.

Personally, I’ve always struggled to coordinate multiple characters effectively in the heat of battle. Instead, I end up tackling challenges one character at a time, breaking missions down into smaller “mini-missions.” For example, I’d punch a guard over there, hide behind something nearby, sneak up to knife another enemy, set a snake trap, and eliminate foes one by one in a strategic chain of actions.

That said, the lack of a sandbox mode or additional missions limits the game’s replay value to around 50-80 hours. Still, those hours are some of the most enjoyable ones I’ve spent gaming. I’ve always wished for a thriving community to create new levels and keep the experience alive. With its creative potential and charm, Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive could have been even more legendary with expanded content and modern updates.